Instructors

All our instructors are professionals who have been developed to offer the highest quality instruction. Every member of our instructor team is approachable, caring, and possesses a true love for teaching martial arts. After taking just a few lessons, you will see why The Karate Dojo MMA & Brazilian Jiujitsu is Jackson's #1 choice for elite martial arts training.

Owner of The Karate Dojo MMA & Brazilian Jiujitsu of Jackson, NJ
Master Alders started his martial arts training with
his Father Paul and Brother Jason, at 7 years old in
Goju-Ryu and advanced to the rank of Green Belt. After
a severe injury to Paul’s leg, the family stopped their
training at that time. Master Alders always maintained a
passion for the martial arts and trained in his home,
watched martial arts training videos, karate movies and
always wanted to achieve a black belt in the martial arts.

At the age of 14, Master Alders rejoined his quest to
continue his formal learning of martial arts and began
training in a mixed martial art of Tae Kwon Do, Kenpo,
Hapkido and Aikido. He continued his training and
received his black belt on March 10, 1995.
While training in this style Master Alders realized
that to become a complete martial artist, he must also
better develop his defense on the ground. He furthered
his training by studying Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and continues
to train with some of the best martial artists, fighters
and instructors in the world. Master Alders continues his
training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with Professor Bill Scott of BJJ Shore Academy.

Master Alders began his quest of teaching and continued
to teach for the next 11 years, receiving the rank of
Sempai (2nd Degree Black Belt-instructor in training-
1996), Sensei (Certified Instructor-1998), 3rd Degree
Black Belt (2000) , 4th Degree “Master” on May 14, 2005
and 5th Dan on January 10, 2010. Master Alders, has
trained hundreds of students over the years from the rank
of white belt through and beyond Black Belt. He has
always dreamed of running his own Dojo one day and this
has been his life long goal. In January 2006, along with
the help and support of his father Paul and Brother Jason,
he began this quest and decided that he must form a new
and more complete defense system. Based on all of his
knowledge, he created a fusion martial arts system
designed to offer a high quality and well-rounded martial
art. The very first “The Karate Dojo” location opened for
it’s first class on January 4, 2007. Master Alders was
promoted to 6th Dan by 10th Degree Hall of fame
member, Shihan Gary Alexander in January 18, 2015.

Master Alders has been featured several times in worldwide martial art publications and in 2004 was inducted into “Action Martial Arts Magazine’s Hall of
Fame” for “Excellence in Teaching,” and in 2009 was
also honored for “Excellence as a Good Will Ambassador
in the Martial Arts.” In 2010 Master Alders was
inducted in the IIMAA (International Independent
Martial Arts Association) Hall of fame as “Martial
Artist of the year” and The Karate Dojo was inducted
for “School of the Year,” in 2013 he received
a “YAP Award” for leading charitable efforts in the community
after Hurricane Sandy, in addition to receiving
many other awards, accolades and national recognition.

Sensei Barbara Gene Garrell
3rd Degree Black Belt Instructor

Sensei Barbara Gene Garrell
3rd Degree Black Belt Instructor

I enrolled at the dojo in 2008 when i was 8 years old. I first began to show interest in martial arts from seeing martial arts in movies and shows on television. I found myself having a curiosity in self defense and I thought it would be really cool to know how to protect myself. I never would have guessed that nine years later, I would be a second degree black belt teaching classes on the very mat that i had come up the ranks on. I was promoted to black belt in 2011, second degree in 2013, and Sensei in 2015.

One of my favorite aspects of teaching is knowing I can have an impact on someone’s life and teach them things that will protect them in the real world. I never truly understood what my instructors meant when they told me what it was like to watch me grow as an individual as well as a martial artist over the years until I got to experience the same thing from their point of view. I am truly honored to be able to be a part of my students’ lives and to see so many fine young men and women develop from those who first walk in the door.

One of my favorite events that are held for the dojo are the banquets that happen every year. At these events, many awards are given out to students for their achievements and progression throughout the prior year. As a student, i received awards for Junior Black Belt Spirit of the Year in 2008, Student of the Year in 2010, Assistant Instructor of the Year and the Leadership Award in 2011, Black Belt Attitude of the Year and Assistant Instructor of the year in 2012, Instructor of the year in 2013, Student of the Decade in 2017 and I was promoted to 3rd Degree Black Belt in January of 2017.

Paul has spent the majority of his career in sales and marketing. Working at many top positions in several companies, Paul founded and was the CEO of Four Star Marketing for over 30 years. Working with top companies in retail, gifts, collectibles, home decor, limited editions and much more. Paul led a team of associates that worked up and down the entire East Coast and even had accounts throughout the country. After many years in business and with the boom of internet sales, Paul saw that it was time to sell his company and office. Paul took some of the money from the sale and spoke with his son Eric and said the time was right to start a new business venture together and that began the birth of The Karate Dojo.

What was your motivation in opening The Karate Dojo?

My motivation was mainly because of my long time love of the martial arts and the lifestyle in which it promotes. My son Eric was a head instructor at a martial arts school for about 12 years or so and I knew that he always had a life long goal of opening his own Dojo. I watched him teach for many years and it became apparent that this is what he was destined to do and that became my main motivation to open “The Karate Dojo.” To fulfill his dreams with my support.

When did you begin your training in the martial arts?

I first started training with my sons in 1983 in Goju Ryu. My son Eric continued his training since then and now holds the rank of Master.

What did you do prior to opening The Karate Dojo?

Prior to opening our dojo, I had been the owner and President of a sales, marketing and business consulting company in consumer products. I built this company from scratch over 25 years to one of the top, most respected companies in the industry. I worked closely with major organizations like Anheuser Busch and US Playing Card Company just to name two. With the changes in the industry combined with the declining economy, I had decided that it was best to close my company and direct my sales and marketing in another direction. The Karate Dojo became a natural direction to take. When one door closes, another is always ready to open.

What was your goal in opening The Karate Dojo and the direction you wanted it to take?

We opened with the idea of building it to the best run, systemized and most “family” oriented dojo possible. We always want to have an atmosphere of success and it is very important that the quality of our students is always our main priority. My future goal, even from day one, is to expand our dojo and our style Yuugou-Ryu (Fusion System) to multiple locations.

How do you like working with your son in a family business?

We felt that it was completely a natural course to take to combine all of our skills and experience. Eric with his teaching ability and extensive martial arts knowledge and me with my sales, marketing and advertising experience. We expect to have a long, growing and prosperous future together and we always look forward to being on the cutting edge of innovation and advancement in the martial arts industry.

Jay Malley
Head Professor of Brazilian Jiujitsu

Jay Malley
Professor, 1st Degree Black Belt

Professor Jay Malley received his Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Master Pablo Popovitch in 2012, and is registered as a certified Black Belt by the International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation (IBJJF). He also holds a Red Belt in International Martial Arts and Boxing under Instructor Eric Colon of Tong Dragon Martial Arts.

He began training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2003 under Fernando Saramento Jr. at Tong Dragon Martial Arts before continuing his training with Professor Bill Scott at Ricardo Almeida’s BJJ Academy/Team Renzo Gracie. Soon after Professor Bill Scott affiliated with legendary multiple time World Grappling Champion Master Pablo Popovitch, Professor Jay Malley followed in suit and has been part of Bill Scott BJJ Shore Academy.

The desire to compete and test his art has led Professor Malley to enter and win several Brazilian Jiu Jitsu tournaments and medals on the national and international level, most notably placing the Pan American Jiu Jitsu Championships and being a 2x Copa Atlantica Champion, as well as a NAGA World Champion, and a NAGA and grapplers Quest Champion on the national level. He has also taught self-defense seminars to the Ocean County Regional SWAT Team, and the Brick Township Emergency Services Units, as well as teaching defensive tactics to recruits and in service officers at the Ocean County Police Academy. He has had the unique opportunity to visit Salvador, Bahia, Brazil on two different occasions for about 1 month durations each stay to train BJJ at Nilton Ferreira’s BJJ Academy, and it has been one of his top priorities to continue to spread the tradition, values, and principles of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Professor Jay Malley is currently a 14yr veteran of the Berkeley Township Police Department where he serves as a Sergeant in his full time profession, and holds a BA Degree in Criminal Justice from Kean University. During his Law Enforcement career he has served on the Regional Swat Team for 2 years and is currently the departments CPR and First Aid instructor.

Testimonials

“I just wanted to let you know that having the kids in your Dojo has been very rewarding for them and us. They have changed so much and keep on getting better!!! This experience is just amazing! Watching them in class and at home is such a reward, Thank you Master Alders!!!”

- Maggie Rodriguez

"After the past 2 months we have watched our son and the others in his class develop confidence and increased skills along with an increased desire to learn. Master Alders is not only a kind and patient teacher but he is also a strong role model in what is expected and what will be accepted. The kids know that Master Alders means business, but he can also laugh and be silly with them. The Karate Dojo has been nothing but a positive experience for our little boy!”

- Dawn Miller

"I have seen many studios and health clubs, but never one that is quite like "The Karate Dojo". Very professional, caring, understanding, family oriented where the Master himself works out side by side with his students. I am an adult student in the Cardio Kickboxing Program, who was extremely nervous about joining The Karate Dojo. Master Eric Alders is very unique. He made me feel very comfortable, relaxed, and worked with me to correct my technique. I absolutely enjoy Cardio Kickboxing. My stress level has gone down, I have lost inches, I have more energy, and I feel great. Thank You The Karate Dojo!”

- Shrabanee Shah

"Amazing place to learn self defense, traditional martial arts and get good workout. The instructors and employees are very patient, polite and understanding. I recommend The Karate Dojo to anyone looking to study mixed martial arts.”